Prayers answered as ‘Disappeared’ Ruddy brought home
THE sister of Seamus Ruddy, one of the ‘Disappeared’ during the Troubles, has said her prayers havebeenansweredaftertheNewry man’s body was finally repatriated yesterday.
Mr Ruddy was abducted from Paris in 1985 by the INLA, who killed him and hid his body in the forest of Pont-de-l’Arche near Rouen.
His body was finally found on May 6 this year after days of searching by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR.)
It’s understood the plane carrying his remains arrived in Dublin yesterday evening.
Mr Ruddy’s sister Anne Morgan campaigned for years to have her brother’s remains found.
“We have waited over 30 years to get Seamus home and to lay him to rest,” she said yesterday.
“We never gave up hope despite some very dark times and now our prayers have been answered.”
ICLVR commissioners Mr Frank Murray and Sir Ken Bloomfield said in a statement that Mr Ruddy’s remains would be taken to Dublin City Mortuary and released tothefamilywhentheDublinCoroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, fulfilled her legal obligations.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ruddy family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they prepare to lay Seamus to rest,” they said.
Ms Morgan also appealed for information in relation to the three outstanding Disappeared cases: Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh and Robert Nairac.
Mr Ruddy is due to be brought back to Newry to be waked on Thursday, June 15 with the funeral to be held on Saturday, June 17 at St Catherine’s Dominican Chapel,DominicStreet,Newry.